The AASL Advocacy Special Committee developed a definition of advocacy. Their definition states that "Advocacy is an on-going process of building partnerships so that others will act for and with you, turning passive support into educated action for the library media program. It begins with a vision and a plan for the library media program that is then matched to the agenda and priorities of stakeholders." (American Association of School Librarians, ''Transforming the Support of School Library Programs Through Advocacy'', New Orleans: ALA Annual Conference, 2006).

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"Advocacy" has many definitions.

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ALA Past President Carol Brey-Casiano defined it as "simply the ability to talk to your neighbors about the library" or to be "willing to speak up for libraries". (''American Libraries'', August 2004, p.5)

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The AASL Advocacy Special Committee developed a definition of advocacy. Their definition states that “Advocacy is an on-going process of building partnerships so that others will act for and with you, turning passive support into educated action for the library media program. It begins with a vision and a plan for the library media program that is then matched to the agenda and priorities of stakeholders.” (American Association of School Librarians, ''Transforming the Support of School Library Programs Through Advocacy'', New Orleans: ALA Annual Conference, 2006).

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The resources to support advocacy efforts are extensive, starting with the ALA [http://www.ala.org/advocacy '''Advocacy, Legislation & Issues'''] web page.

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ALA Past President Carol Brey-Casiano defined it as "simply the ability to talk

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See especially [http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/additup Add It Up: Libraries Make the Difference in Youth Development and Education] and [http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity Advocacy University].

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to your neighbors about the library" or to be "willing to speak up for libraries". ([http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/index.cfm ''American Libraries''], August 2004, p.5)

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The resources to support advocacy efforts are extensive, starting with the ALA [http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/index.cfm "Issues and Advocacy"] web page. See especially [http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/additup/index.cfm Add It Up: Libraries Make the Difference in Youth Development and Education] and [http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/toolkit/index.cfm Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit].

A key resource for all aspects of advocacy and public relations is the annual State of America's Libraries Report -- see the [http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries/soal20122012 State of America's Libraries Report].

[http://www.ala.org/statefacts State Fact Sheets: Public Library, LSTA & LSL Factsheets by State - http://www.ala.org/statefacts] State by state fact sheets for public libraries; for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA); and the Improving Learning Through School Libraries (LSL) programs to use when communicating with your members of Congress as they craft state budget measures.

[http://www.ala.org/@yourlibrary The Campaign for America's Libraries] is seeks to achieve increased awareness and support for libraries, to communicate why libraries are both unique and valuable, to update the image of libraries, librarians and all library staff for the 21st century, sustaining and strengthening their relevance, and to provide renewed energy to the promotion of libraries and librarians, with messages accessible to a diverse audience.

[http://www.ifla.org/en/at-your-library The Campaign for the World's Libraries] is a public education campaign of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the American Library Association and libraries around the world to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century. It is designed to showcase the unique and vital roles played by public, school, academic and special libraries worldwide.

[http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=738 Congressional testimony] by Pennsylvania State Librarian Mary Clare Zales (Sept. 11, 2008) on how libraries are essential to the American public in the 21st Century.

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[http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding/default.htm From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America] Dublin, OH: OCLC, 2008.

[http://www.districtdispatch.org/2008/09/pennsylvania-state-librarian-mary-clare-zales-delivers-exceptional-testimony-before-congress/ Pennsylvania State Librarian Mary Clare Zales Delivers Exceptional Testimony Before Congress (September 11, 2008)] -- How libraries are essential to the American public in the 21st Century.

[http://www.scls.info/pr/advocacy/index.html Online Advocacy Toolkit] from South Central Library System (WI)

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[http://www.ala.org/aasl/aaslissues/toolkits/whatparentsshould The School Library Media Center: What Parents Should Know]

[http://www.schoolmatters.com/ School Matters]

[http://www.schoolmatters.com/ School Matters]

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[http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/mediapresscenter/presskits/2008statereport/2008statehome.cfm The State of America's Libraries report, 2008]

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Todd, Ross. "[http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6545434.html The Evidence-Based Manifesto: If School Librarians Can't Prove They Make a Difference, They May Cease to Exist]." School Library Journal, April 2008, p. 39-43.

Todd, Ross. "The Evidence-Based Manifesto: If School Librarians Can't Prove They Make a Difference, They May Cease to Exist." [http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6545434.html School Library Journal, April 2008, p. 39-43.]

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==Special Topics==

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[[Funding]]

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[[Getting the Staff you Need]]

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[[Marketing]]

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[[Public Relations]]

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[[Statistics]] Support your case!

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[[Value of Libraries in the Internet Age]]

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[[Value of Libraries]]

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[[Category:Administration and Management]]

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[[Category:Advocacy and Public Relations]]

Latest revision as of 17:03, 9 October 2012

Contents

About

"Advocacy" has many definitions.

The AASL Advocacy Special Committee developed a definition of advocacy. Their definition states that "Advocacy is an on-going process of building partnerships so that others will act for and with you, turning passive support into educated action for the library media program. It begins with a vision and a plan for the library media program that is then matched to the agenda and priorities of stakeholders." (American Association of School Librarians, Transforming the Support of School Library Programs Through Advocacy, New Orleans: ALA Annual Conference, 2006).

ALA Past President Carol Brey-Casiano defined it as "simply the ability to talk to your neighbors about the library" or to be "willing to speak up for libraries". (American Libraries, August 2004, p.5)

Special Initiatives

The Campaign for America's Libraries is seeks to achieve increased awareness and support for libraries, to communicate why libraries are both unique and valuable, to update the image of libraries, librarians and all library staff for the 21st century, sustaining and strengthening their relevance, and to provide renewed energy to the promotion of libraries and librarians, with messages accessible to a diverse audience.

The Campaign for the World's Libraries is a public education campaign of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the American Library Association and libraries around the world to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century. It is designed to showcase the unique and vital roles played by public, school, academic and special libraries worldwide.